Abstract

Synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy is a non-destructive technology used in physiology or taxonomy for imaging and analysis. It has become an emerging and progressive technology in insect science. The structural details of these insects can be used as critical information on their interaction with virus pathogens. For example, the Brown Planthopper (BPH) (Nilaparvata lugens, Stål) is a devastating pest of rice plants, causing significant yield loss in East Asia. BPH plays an significant role in transmitting Rice-Ragged Stunt Virus (RRSV), a pathogen from the oryzavirus genus. In this study, we utilized synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy to investigate BPH's internal anatomy. This method could identify and characterize the internal structures in the mouthparts and foregut structures, such as the precibarium and food meatus, cibarium chamber and diaphragm. Our findings highlighted the significance of the precibarium and cibarium in BPH feeding, shedding light on vector-pathogen interactions. Moreover, this study demonstrated the broader applications of advanced imaging and behavioral analysis techniques in entomology. This research contributed valuable knowledge to insect-vector interactions and has implications for crop protection and agriculture.

Keywords: Insect pest; Mouthpart structure; Nilaparvata lugens (Stål); Physiology; Synchrotron radiation X-ray tomography